If you have been satisfied by move-in inspection and you seriously think about renting the apartment, you still have several steps to take to avoid certain problems in future.
Things that should be discussed with your landlord before signing a rental agreement and a handover protocol
Do not take over the apartment before you receive answer to the following questions:
How long does the agreement last? Is it possible to renew it after the expiration of the current one?
Does the landlord have any special requirements for your visitors? Can they stay overnight? Does the possibility of cohabitation exist?
Will the move in date be the same as you have agreed upon? Is it specified in the agreement along with sanctions that will be imposed on the landlord if he / she fails to meet this “deadline”?
What day of the month is the rent due on? Which measures may be taken against you in case of late payment?
Does the landlord require tenant insurance? Even if he / she doesn't insist upon it think about its purchase: its price will be hardly comparable with losses you may suffer in case of flooding neighbours or damaging something valuable in the rented apartment.
In addition to these details you should clarify the situation with handover protocol (so called předávací protokol). It should not only state that furniture, fittings and fixtures were handed over in good or satisfactory condition, it should also contain a record of opening meter reading (water, electricity, gas). Pay attention to the detected defects and describe them in the protocol.
Negotiate the date when they will be eliminated. Bear in mind that respective repairs after you move in will cause inconvenience to you, furthermore your things can be either damaged or stolen by workers.
How to deal with repairs after you moved in
If you identified unnoticed defects shortly after you had moved in make a list of them, prepare relevant photo documentation and contact your landlord (preferably in writing).
Avoid a delay or it will be hardly possible to prove that this damage hasn't been caused by you what will eventually lead to partial or even entire retention of your deposit.
Besides this it's useful to know which types of repairs you will be financially responsible for during your rental period. If you do not have any specific agreement with the landlord, you should be guided by Civil Code which says that landlord bears responsibility only for repairs which are necessary for your comfort or prevent you from normal use of rented property.
Other repairs which are minor or related to ordinary maintenance you have to carry out at your own expense.
